Licensed games usually suck. We all know the drill: a big movie comes out, a studio rushes a low-budget tie-in to store shelves, and parents accidentally buy a glitchy mess for their kids. It’s a cycle as old as the Atari 2600. But back in 2015, when Blue Sky Studios released their surprisingly gorgeous take on Charlie Brown and the gang, Activision did something unexpected. They published The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure, and honestly? It’s way better than it had any right to be.
It wasn’t trying to be Dark Souls or even Mario Odyssey. It knew exactly what it was: a breezy, imaginative side-scroller that captured the specific melancholy and whimsy of Charles M. Schulz’s universe.
The Weird Logic of Snoopy’s Imagination
Most platformers give you a reason to run from left to right. Usually, a princess is in another castle or there’s a pile of gold at the end of the rainbow. In The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure, the stakes are much more "Peanuts." Charlie Brown and his friends are playing hide-and-seek. Snoopy, being the world’s most eccentric beagle, decides the best way to find them is to trek through his own vivid daydreams.
This setup allowed the developers at Behaviour Interactive—the same folks who, weirdly enough, later became famous for Dead by Daylight—to ignore the laws of physics.
One minute you’re in a jungle that looks suspiciously like a backyard, and the next you’re floating through the lunar surface. The game leans heavily into Snoopy’s alter egos. You aren’t just "Snoopy." You’re the World War I Flying Ace. You’re Joe Cool. You’re an astronaut. Each costume isn’t just a cosmetic skin; they actually change how you navigate the levels. Joe Cool can freeze time (sort of), while the Flying Ace can, predictably, reach higher ground.
It’s simple. It’s intuitive. It feels like playing through a comic strip that came to life.
Why the Visuals Still Hold Up a Decade Later
If you look at the game today, especially on the PS4 or Xbox One versions, it’s striking how well it mimics the movie’s "brushstroke" aesthetic. Most licensed games from that era used generic 3D models that looked like plastic toys. The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure went the other way. It used the same character designs from the film, which used 3D technology to mimic 2D animation techniques.
The frame rate for character animations is intentionally jittery in some spots to give it that hand-drawn feel. It’s a subtle touch. Most players might not even notice it consciously, but it’s why the game doesn't feel like a cheap knock-off.
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The environments are layered. You have the foreground where the action happens, but the backgrounds are filled with nods to the strip. You'll see the crooked trees, the specific shape of the clouds, and that signature minimalist "Schulz line" everywhere.
It’s Secretly a Great Intro to Platforming
Let's talk about difficulty. Hardcore gamers probably blasted through this in three hours and felt bored. That’s fine. This game wasn't for them.
However, if you have a kid who is just learning how to hold a controller, or if you’re someone who just wants to decompress after a long day without being stressed by a "Game Over" screen, this is top-tier. The jump mechanics are forgiving. The combat is basically non-existent—you’re mostly bopping creatures on the head or avoiding them entirely.
The real meat of the game is the exploration.
Every level is littered with Jelly Beans. Thousands of them. Collecting them feels tactile and satisfying, much like the studs in a LEGO game. But the real challenge lies in finding the Beagle Scouts. Woodstock’s little friends are hidden in some genuinely clever spots. To find them all, you have to backtrack once you unlock new costumes.
- The Astronaut suit lets you jump higher in low gravity.
- The Masked Marvel gives you a burst of speed.
- The Detective hat helps you find hidden paths.
It introduces the concept of a "Metroidvania" to a younger audience without the crushing difficulty of Hollow Knight. It’s a gateway drug for gaming.
The Woodstock Factor: Local Co-op Done Right
We don’t talk enough about "asymmetrical co-op."
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In The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure, a second player can jump in at any time as Woodstock. Woodstock can’t die. He can’t really lose. What he can do is fly around the screen, stun enemies, and activate switches that Snoopy can’t reach.
It’s the perfect "parent and child" mode. The child plays as Snoopy, doing the heavy lifting and platforming, while the parent plays as Woodstock, guiding them, opening doors, and making sure they don’t get frustrated. It’s a collaborative experience that avoids the "stop-and-start" frustration of many other multiplayer games.
What Most Reviews Got Wrong
When the game launched, critics gave it middling scores. They called it "short" and "too easy."
They missed the point.
The game was designed to be a companion piece to a movie about childhood innocence. Making it a 40-hour epic with skill trees and weapon upgrades would have been a disaster. It’s a snack, not a five-course meal.
The music alone is worth the price of admission. It features jazzy, Vince Guaraldi-inspired tracks that make you feel like you’re sitting in a cozy living room on a snowy Sunday afternoon. It’s nostalgic without being pandering.
The Scarcity Issue: Where is it Now?
Here is the frustrating part about licensed titles. Digital storefronts are fickle. Because of licensing agreements between Activision, Peanuts Worldwide, and the film studios, these games often disappear from digital shops like the PlayStation Store or Xbox Marketplace.
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If you want to play The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure today, you usually have to hunt down a physical disc.
Interestingly, the Wii U version has become a bit of a collector’s item. Because that console had such a small install base, the physical copies of "niche" games like this are becoming harder to find. If you see it at a garage sale or a used game shop for twenty bucks, grab it.
Is It Worth Playing in 2026?
Honestly, yeah.
In an era of live-service games, battle passes, and endless microtransactions, there is something deeply refreshing about a game that just ends. You play it, you find the kids, you get the scouts, and you feel good.
It’s a reminder that gaming doesn’t always have to be about competition or "the grind." Sometimes, it can just be about a dog, a bird, and a red doghouse flying through the clouds.
Steps for getting the most out of the game today:
- Track down a physical copy: Check eBay or local retro stores specifically for the PS4 or Xbox One versions for the best resolution.
- Play with a partner: Even if you're an adult, grab a friend and have them play as Woodstock. It’s a surprisingly relaxing way to spend a rainy Saturday.
- Don't rush: The game is short. If you sprint to the end, you'll finish in an afternoon. Take the time to find the hidden Beagle Scouts in every level to actually see the clever level design.
- Watch the film first: The game uses specific assets and voice clips from the 2015 movie. Having that context makes the "daydream" sequences feel much more connected to the story.
The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure remains a rare example of a licensed game handled with genuine affection for the source material. It captures the soul of Charlie Brown's world—a world where even the "losers" get to have a grand adventure once in a while.